77 research outputs found
Sustainable AI:Tools for moving toward Green AI
No full textIn the era of big data and even bigger machine learning models powering the current generative AI revolution, the environmental footprint of these developments can no longer be ignored. This much-needed guide confronts the challenge head-on, offering a groundbreaking exploration into making deep learning (DL) both efficient and accessible. Author Raghavendra Selvan exposes the high costs—both environmental and economic—of traditional DL methods and presents practical solutions that pave the way for a more sustainable AI. This essential read is for anyone in the machine learning field, from the academic researcher to the industry practitioner, who wants to make a meaningful impact on both their work and the world. This book enables readers to be agents of change toward a more sustainable and inclusive technological future
A prospective study assessing patient satisfaction at a large tertiary gynecologic oncology/dysplasia unit
No full textSelvan Pather1, Davina Tai2, Shannon Philp1, Kathryn Nattress1, Jonathan Carter1, Christopher Dalrymple1, Ken Atkinson11The Sydney Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, AustraliaBackground: Patient satisfaction is an important quality assurance measure in the delivery of health care. We conducted a prospective study to assess patient satisfaction at a large tertiary oncology/dysplasia unit.Aims: To assess current patient satisfaction at a large tertiary oncology/dysplasia unit and identify potential areas for improvement.Methods: This was a prospective study of patients attending a tertiary oncology/dysplasia unit. Patients were invited to participate and, if they agreed, were given a validated questionnaire to complete at the end of their consultation. Descriptive statistics were then used to analyze the data and identify potential areas of improvement.Results: One hundred eighty-seven patients were recruited, and 96% of patients were satisfied with the overall level of care received. Significant positive features of the service included helpfulness of the staff, cleanliness of the facility, and measures implemented to respect patient privacy. Lack of patient parking, waiting times in the clinic, difficulties in contacting the service, and locating the building were identified as areas for improvement.Conclusion: Patients attending our facility were largely satisfied with the overall level of care received. Nonclinical factors including parking, waiting times, and access to the service were identified as areas for improvement.Keywords: oncology, dysplasia, outpatient, satisfaction&nbsp
Engineering Education 2006 (EE2006)
No full textSimulation technologies have become the corner stone of many training programs, from simple game–playing scenarios to totally immersive virtual reality simulators. However, many of these simple teaching aides merely tend to develop the manual dexterity of the learner. The game described in this paper develops the learner’s problem-solving skills and teamwork. The game under development is based on a simulated production line, constructing structures with Lego blocks. The game has three discrete phases; each with a briefing session, a production “run” and a debriefing session. It encourages observation and discussion of possible improvements required to increase productivity. This is achieved by the learning of good team interaction and the application of different problem-solving techniques. Initial feedback from students reveals that the simulated game provides a better method of observing the importance of team dynamics and the honing of problem solving skills
Evaluation of ovarian tumors by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at three tesla
No full text<b>AIM</b>\ud
\ud
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of acquiring in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of ovarian lesions at a magnetic field strength of 3 Tesla (T). The goal was to provide potentially diagnostic biochemical information that may aid in the characterization of ovarian neoplasms detected during clinical magnetic resonance imaging scanning.\ud
\ud
<b>METHODS:</b>\ud
\ud
Fourteen patients referred to 2 gynecologic oncologic surgeons were examined in a whole-body 3.0 T clinical scanner using an 8-element phased-array surface coil. Single voxel spectroscopy (SVS) was undertaken after identification of lesions on T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging. SVS was performed using the point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localization technique using a echo time (TE) of 135 milliseconds and repetition time (TR) of 2000 milliseconds and with 192 signal averages. Resonance integrals for the prominent signals from choline-containing compounds and creatine (Cr) were studied and presence of other prominent spectroscopic signals reported. Each SVS acquisition was performed in less than 8 minutes. Magnetic resonance spectral findings were correlated with the detailed pathology reports obtained after resection of each tumor.\ud
\ud
<b>RESULTS</b>\ud
\ud
Pathology revealed 7 patients with malignant surface epithelial-stromal tumors, 3 patients with germ cell tumors, 3 patients with benign serous cystadenomas, and 1 patient with a non-neoplastic endometrioma. Spectroscopic data were acquired from 16 voxels in 14 patients. Resonances attributable to choline-containing compounds and Cr were recorded in all malignant tumors and some of the benign tumors. When detected, a choline/Cr integral ratio of greater than 3 was found to indicate that a tumor was malignant in nature, whereas a choline/Cr integral ratio less than 1.5 was found to indicate that a tumor was benign in nature. There was 1 exception, a 13-cm serous cystadenofibroma, where the choline/Cr integral ratio was 3.13. Several other prominent metabolites were recorded including lactate, lipid, and an as yet unassigned resonance (possibly N-acetylaspartate or sialic acid) at 2.07 ppm.\ud
\ud
<b>CONCLUSIONS</b>\ud
\ud
Spectroscopy of ovarian masses can be recorded at 3.0 T with acceptable spectral quality and good signal-to-noise ratio. There are stringent technical considerations to be considered in obtaining good spectral quality. Further experience with a larger and more biologically variable range of tumors needs to be undertaken to determine the final clinical utility of this technique, but initial results from this small cohort are promising
The use of simulated games in an undergraduate course manufacturing processes
No full textSimulation games bring the real engineering situation into class room. They are ideally suited to situations where the size and cost of some systems cannot be replicated in educational institutions, e.g. large-scale production facilities and manufacturing processes. Students undertaking a course in Manufacturing Processes participated in a role-playing game within a simulated manufacturing environment for the production of LEGO widgets. The game has three discrete phases; each with a briefing session, a production “run” and a debriefing session. It encourages observation and discussion of possible improvements required to increase productivity, and also visualizes some of the manufacturing concepts. This paper describes the exceptional learning outcomes achieved, the explicit understanding of manufacturing strategies and an insight into the approaches taken by world class manufacturers to maximise production. Surveys of students, taken before and after the game, revealed that they gained a greater appreciation for the course content by being immersed in this simulated scenario. The game also illustrated the importance of good team interaction, the application of different problem-solving techniques, and proved the odd adage “work smarter not faster”
20th Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2009)
No full textSimulation games bring the real engineering situation into class room. They are ideally suited to situations where the size and cost of some systems cannot be replicated in educational institutions, e.g. large-scale production facilities and manufacturing processes. Students undertaking a course in Manufacturing Processes participated in a role-playing game within a simulated manufacturing environment for the production of LEGO widgets. The game has three discrete phases; each with a briefing session, a production “run” and a debriefing session. It encourages observation and discussion of possible improvements required to increase productivity, and also visualizes some of the manufacturing concepts. This paper describes the exceptional learning outcomes achieved, the explicit understanding of manufacturing strategies and an insight into the approaches taken by world class manufacturers to maximise production. Surveys of students, taken before and after the game, revealed that they gained a greater appreciation for the course content by being immersed in this simulated scenario. The game also illustrated the importance of good team interaction, the application of different problem-solving techniques, and proved the odd adage “work smarter not faster”
Ground Hemp Fibers as Filler/Reinforcement for Thermoplastic Biocomposites
No full textMechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact) of ground hemp fibre polypropylene composites were investigated. Ground alkali-treated hemp fibre and noil hemp fibres with various initial fibre lengths were utilized to reinforce polypropylene matrix. Firstly, the microstructural and tensile characterizations of the two types of fibres were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), and Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA). Then, the fibres were ground into different lengths of 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mm; composites containing 40 wt% short hemp fibre and 5 wt% maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were fabricated by means of a twin screw extruder and an injection moulding machine. Finally, influence of hemp fibre type and initial hemp fibre length on tensile property of the composites were investigated. The results revealed that addition of either noil hemp fibre or normal treated hemp fibre into the pure polypropylene matrix increased the tensile strength almost twice and stiffness of the composites more than three times. Although noil hemp fibre composite indicated slightly lower mechanical properties than the normal alkali-treated fibre composites, the difference was not significant. The analysis of the results provided the optimum initial fibre length (powder) of 0.2 mm hemp polypropylene composite. The results can be extended to different types of natural fibres
Depth of Anaesthesia: Measuring or Guessing?
No full textThis paper is a comprehensive literature review on the Depth of Anaesthesia (DoA) monitoring problem. We first investigate the current clinical practice, then briefly introduce the DoA monitors, finally we analyse and discuss the reliability and accuracy of current DoA assessment practice. In this study we find that most of the responses suppressed by anaestheic agents are not of the central nervous system (CNS) but are responses from the peripheral nervous systems (PNS). The responses generated for drug combinations across the therapeutic ranges show considerable variations in drug concentrations that constitute adequate anaesthesia for a particular stimulus. We propose to capture the decision process of anaesthetist using neural networks as neural networks are good at finding patterns in non linear, non stationary signals
6th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics
No full text[Abstract]: Large centrifuges are often used in research laboratories to study the self-weight stress induced failure of geotechnical structures. While most academics recognize the importance of geotechnical teaching by using the centrifuge technology to demonstrate the behaviour of geotechnical problems, the cost of servicing this teaching aid is prohibitive in many universities. In this paper, we present the concepts involved in designing inexpensive laboratory equipment which can be used to perform demonstrations and research experiments on the ultimate behaviour of various geotechnical structures under external loadings. Such equipment can be efficiently used to complement the theoretical approach and serve to visualize phenomena of geo-structural failures
Use of an Arabin pessary to prevent preterm birth in pregnancy complicated by a short cervix after cervical conization for cervical adenocarcinoma with residual disease: A case report and literature review
No full textSurgical conization of the cervix for cervical cancer increases the risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. The ideal intervention to prevent preterm births in women with cervical insufficiency resulting from conization is not known. When histological margins of the cone biopsy are suspected to have residual malignancy, surveillance and oncological management during a concurrent pregnancy can be challenging. This case outlines the management of a pregnancy complicated by a short cervix secondary to conization for adenocarcinoma of cervix, with margins suspected to be not clear of disease. The patient had progressive shortening of the cervix despite vaginal progesterone, but maintained a cervical length of 16 mm following Arabin pessary insertion. She delivered a healthy neonate at 34 + 3 weeks of gestation (105 days following pessary insertion). The cervical pessary in combination with vaginal progesterone may be safe and effective in preventing preterm birth in a pregnancy with possible residual cervical cancer and a short cervix
- …
